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Friday, 23 September 2011

The difference between work and play

I use action methods to improve
communication and reduce conflict in the workplace. Using play
methodology can often move past barriers that have appeared to be set
in concrete. But these methods still rely on a shared understanding
of why we are at work and how adults at work behave. It is an
interesting paradox that whilst asking people to relax and enjoy
being playful this is to improve performance at work. An increasing
number of employees either do not know the boundaries between work
and personal life or just ignore them.

When we go to work we are exchanging
our time and skills usually for money. It isn't slavery largely
thanks to some serious work put in over the years by various unions
and supporting legislation. This does mean we are answerable to
others and have to abide by rules around attendance, behaviour and
dress as well as what we achieve.

This may well sound like stating – as
Basil Fawlty says “The bleedin' obvious”, but recently I have
dealt with people who have said how bad the workplace was. On talking
with them it becomes clear that the badness was “Not sitting where
I want”, “Not getting to do the bits of my job I like”, “Having
to arrive at the same time every day”, “Interrupting my face book
updates”,and “Having to wear something other than a stained track
suit just because I'm a receptionist”.

All the people concerned had applied
for their jobs, read the relevant policies and agreed to them but all
had suffered a catastrophic memory failure almost immediately. All
felt they could do things as they wished.The idea that someone might
have the responsibility for their work and therefore the right to
question them about it was unacceptable to all. They all either owned
the role outright or felt that any discussion of performance was
intrusive and cruel.

At this point I realised that my
default state was becoming increasingly grumpy.

I want us all to achieve at work and
enjoy it as much as possible. I work at shifting barriers and
building effective working relationships. This is based on everyone
being a grown-up for most of the time. The methodology is based in
play not childishness. We can be adult and use play techniques at work. What we
can't do is go to work and only do what we want.